I was incredibly fortunate to experience the awe-inspiring Eqi Glacier in Greenland up close—and even more so to spend a night immersed in the stark beauty of the Arctic wilderness at the nearby Glacier Lodge Eqi. It almost didn't happen, because my flights to Ilulissat were cancelled on two consecutive days because of bad weather in Nuuk and Ilulissat. Fortunately I was able to reschedule my trip to the Eqi Camp. I was not the only person whose travel schedule had been thrown into disarray.

Eqi Glacier
The magnificent Eqi Glacier. Our boat had to stay at a safe distance of about 1 km. It's hard to believe but the glacier is 180 meter high.
Every few minutes a small section breaks off with a loud bang.
Eqi Glacier
I had been waiting for this section to break off...
... but while I was focusing on the above section another major calving occurred to my right. It caused a huge wave and our boat had to speed away and turn around to face the incoming waves.
Eqi Glacier
I wish there had been another tour boat in front of ours to get a sense of scale.
Eqi Glacier
The Eqi Glacier as seen from the moraine. The hike to the moraine is included in the overnight stay at the Eqi Camp.

Some close-ups of the Eqi Glacier. I made dozens of these.

Eqi Glacier
When our boat was lying in front of the glacier I didn't even notice those curves. It just looked like a huge wall of ice.
Yes, the ice really is bluish.
Eqi Glacier
The Eqi Glacier from up close
Eqi Glacier
The Eqi Glacier from a distance

The Eqi Glacier is about 4 km wide and 180 meter high with another 100 meter or so below sea level. The above close-ups were taken from the top of the curved ridge on the right of the photo above.

Eqi Camp, Greenland
The Eqi Camp with the Eqi Glacier in the distance. Imagine going to bed and waking up with this view!
Saying goodbye to the Eqi Camp and the Eqi Glacier. Perhaps one day I'll return.

Related Posts

More glaciers! Gornergletscher in Switzerland, Aletschgletscher in Switzerland, Russell Glacier in Greenland, Svellnosbreen in Norway, Nigardsbreen in Norway, Falljökull in Iceland, Glacier du Tour in France and the Vallée Blanche in France.

All photos are available for licensing. INQUIRE about pricing.